Mark 'Spanky' Gutierrez

Lesson: C6 – A minor 7 So, C6 and A minor 7 … same shape different name. WHY? Context my friend it’s all about the context. If you move from G7 to C6 it seems like its kind of final. There is a “resolution” about it. Try it, play C6 then G7 then go to [...]

Lesson: The picture to the left shows C7 in 4 positions up the neck. Each position is identified by a box encompassing the appropriate notes. Instruction: Play 4 beats on the first position Then move to the next position and play another 4 beats Etc… Up the neck and yes, DOWN the neck. Strive for [.

There is so much going on… My head is in a spin. There’s plane tickets to bring folks in, hotel reservations, registrations, workshop notes, vendor tables, lunches for everybody, venue, venue insurance, social media, old fashion media, but you know what?? ITS ALL COMING TOGETHER, JUST LOVELY!! Ya, t

4 Strings of Swing got to play for a wedding last weekend. We played for the mass and the cocktail hour. The music for the mass included Canon in D, Ave Maria, formal Catholic mass parts, and Jazz standards for prelude and postlude music. The bride requested Molokai Morning for her entrance. I was s

NEW CONTEST!! We’re designing 4SOS t-shirts and stickers for our new online store and we want your help! Come up with a snappy ukulele slogan (i.e. “life’s better w/ 4 Strings”, “live ukulele”, etc.) by July 25 and post it to our wall. The slogan can have 4 Strings of Swing in it or not. [...]

The production company put together a behind the scenes view of my Ukulele Finger Picking DVD … Check it out: http://www.redorchidproductions.com/2011/04/15/a-mad-scientist-themed-ukulele-instructional-video/ If you are interested in buying it… click on the following link and go to the  ”store”. htt